The Land of Gold: Three Years in California is a memoir written by Walter Colton, who was a chaplain in the United States Navy and the first American alcalde, or mayor, of Monterey, California. The book chronicles his experiences in California from 1846 to 1849, during the time of the California Gold Rush. Colton describes his journey to California, his work as a chaplain, and his interactions with the local population, including the indigenous people and the Spanish-speaking Californios. He also provides a detailed account of the social and economic changes brought about by the Gold Rush, as well as the political upheavals that occurred during California's transition from a Mexican territory to a U.S. state. Throughout the book, Colton reflects on the impact of the Gold Rush on both the land and its people, and offers his own observations and opinions on the cultural clashes and conflicts that arose during this tumultuous period in California's history.